IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Hi, fintech fam from 35,000 feet in the air! 💜 

So much is happening this month, and I want to make it easy for you to access the best events, networks, and opportunities. 🎉

I’ve got some incredible opportunities lined up to help you expand your international presence (Fintech in Italy, anyone?), snag a major discount for the first big fintech event of 2025 (Fintech Meetup, here we come!), pitch directly to me and my new partner, Lisa Carmen Wang of the BBE Fund, and even dive into fashion tech with Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kiannito’s startup, Phia. 👗💻

I only bring you opportunities that I know will make a lasting impact on your business and career.

So be sure to read this email—top to bottom—because you won’t want to miss a single opportunity (seriously, it’s packed!). 😏

But first, let’s dive into today’s column on why a global strategy is an absolute need.

SPONSORED BY FINTECH MEETUP

Fintech Meetup is hands-down one of my favorite events of the year! Kicking off in March (aka Women’s History Month), it always feels like the fintech community’s first big reunion—and for 2025, I know the team is putting community and collaboration front and center. 🤝

I’ve attended for the past two years, and every single time, I walk away with valuable connections and actionable insights that push my business forward.

This will be my third year attending, and this week is your last chance to grab tickets at a 35% discount!

Fintech Meetup is the future of fintech events, with 60,000 meetings and serious ROI. Don’t miss out—get your ticket today and save up to $1,300 and I’ll see you there. 🚀

INNOVATION

Why Fintech Companies Need a Global Expansion Strategy

When running a fintech company, it’s not enough to be the best in your city—or even your country. Today, success means going global.

Whether focused on payments, embedded finance, or open banking, your vision must stretch beyond borders to capture market opportunity and innovation.

Fintech companies with global strategies have been shown to grow at significantly higher rates than their more localized counterparts.

In fact, fintech companies with global strategies report customer growth rates averaging above 50%, according to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Global Fintech report.

This shows that expanding beyond domestic markets significantly accelerates user acquisition and market penetration. Additionally, 51% of fintech firms identified strong customer demand as the primary driver of their growth, emphasizing the importance of meeting this demand across international markets to unlock new revenue streams.

I saw this first-hand when I partnered with the City of Milano to host a dinner with over 30 global fintech leaders during Money20/20 Europe this year.

From regulators and investors to entrepreneurs, the conversation around the table centered on one theme: how to create a more inclusive and connected fintech ecosystem across international markets.

And honestly? Milan is a great place to start.

Milan isn’t just a beautiful city with good coffee and even better fashion—it’s fast becoming a European fintech powerhouse. Milan's innovation engine is running on all cylinders with more than 15,000 financial companies and 130,000 financial services employees.

The city’s entrepreneurial energy is palpable. Just look at success stories like Nexi and Satispay, which have completely transformed the payments landscape. Or take Klarna, which has helped redefine how we think about financing in the consumer space.

These companies aren’t just thriving in Milan; they’re scaling globally, and that’s the key.

A Thriving Fintech Hub

Milan isn’t just a finance city—it’s a creative city. With 11 international universities and 227,000 students, Milan has the perfect blend of capital and creativity. It’s a place where bold ideas aren’t just nurtured—they’re transformed into market-leading ventures.

This is one reason why fintech is Italy’s top investment sector, with startup valuations growing faster here than in most other European markets.

While working with the City of Milano, I couldn’t help but be struck by the city’s deep commitment to fostering innovation, primarily through initiatives like the Fintech District.

Under Clelia Tosi's leadership, this ecosystem has grown to over 290 companies and positioned itself as a launchpad for fintech expansion.

Clelia and I had the chance to discuss how collaboration is the cornerstone of fintech success, especially when it comes to embedding financial services into non-financial platforms.

Take embedded finance, for example. It’s one of the hottest trends we’re seeing right now.

Embedded finance—essentially the integration of financial services into non-financial platforms—has the potential to revolutionize industries far beyond finance.

Think about it: companies like Checkout.com and Booking.com are incorporating fintech solutions directly into their value chains, enhancing the customer experience without the user even realizing it.

The Role of Embedded Finance

When it comes to fintech’s future, embedded finance is the name of the game.

By 2032, the global embedded finance market is expected to hit $623 billion, growing at an eye-popping rate of 25.4% annually. Europe alone is projected to reach $47 billion in this sector by the end of the year, with payments being the driving force behind this growth.

And Milan? It’s a crucial player in this revolution.

Embedded finance, as we discussed over dinner with fintech leaders, is creating opportunities for innovators who might not have traditional finance backgrounds to break into the sector.

Take Ami Kumordzie, for example. Ami, the founder of Sika Health, raised $6.2 million in early 2023 to create a platform that connects consumers with IRS-compliant merchants. What’s fascinating about Ami’s story is that she didn’t come from a fintech or finance background. She’s a healthcare innovator who saw an opportunity to blend two worlds—and that’s exactly what embedded finance enables.

It’s the perfect tool for driving inclusivity in fintech, allowing experts from other fields to contribute fresh ideas and solutions that push the industry forward.

By offering support to foreign fintech companies—guidance on the local market, networking opportunities, and assistance with regulatory frameworks—Milan is creating a welcoming environment for diverse entrepreneurs to establish and grow their businesses. It’s a hub of connectivity that doesn’t just talk about innovation—it makes it happen.

Building Inclusivity Through Collaboration

Of course, none of this happens in a vacuum. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my experience working with global fintech leaders, it’s that collaboration isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential.

In Milan, this collaborative spirit is embodied by Clelia, Head of the Fintech District. Clelia has over a decade of experience in consulting and financial services research and is a firm believer in Open Innovation, where technological, strategic, and process innovations are developed collaboratively across countries.

“We believe that collaboration in fintech is the right choice,” Clelia told me, and she’s absolutely right. It’s about fintech companies working together and fostering connections across sectors.

Whether it’s fintech and healthcare, fintech and e-commerce, or fintech and sustainability, the future of the industry lies in these intersections.

Milan’s commitment to collaboration is also evident in the Milan Fintech Summit, one of the city’s most important international fintech events, organized with YesMilano.

Sustainability as a Core Value

But Milan’s fintech ecosystem isn’t just focused on growth for growth’s sake.

Sustainability is at the heart of everything happening in the city’s fintech scene, and it’s a lesson that fintech leaders around the world should take seriously.

Sustainable business practices aren’t just about reducing carbon footprints or making green investments—though those things are certainly important.

Sustainability is also about building a stable market and using big data to drive long-term profitability, all while ensuring that companies remain socially and environmentally responsible.

Globally, fintech leaders need to understand that if they want to build something lasting, they must look beyond short-term wins and focus on long-term stability. This aligns with broader European trends, where sustainability and inclusivity are not just buzzwords but core values shaping how businesses operate.

Companies prioritizing sustainability are more resilient and better equipped to handle the challenges of global expansion.

A Strategic Hub for Fintech

Ultimately, Milan’s rise as a fintech hub highlights the power of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. The city’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment where startups can thrive is a model for other regions looking to develop their fintech ecosystems.

Let’s not forget the ripple effect of international success. By fostering a supportive ecosystem for diverse entrepreneurs and integrating financial services into broader economic activities, cities like Milan are boosting their local economies while setting an example for cities around the globe.

Take a page from Milan's playbook for fintech founders and CEOs considering their next move.

Global expansion isn’t just a growth strategy—it’s the future. If your fintech company isn’t thinking globally, you’re already falling behind.

_{CIAO BELLA?}

If the idea of kicking off your international expansion while growing your global network sounds like your vibe, hit reply!

I have an exciting opportunity.

I’m looking for fintech founders and CEOs to join us in Milan, Italy, for an exclusive VIP program during the Milan Fintech Summit, Oct. 7-9. 🇮🇹

You’ll get complimentary hotel accommodations, summit tickets, curated dinners, networking opportunities, and—get this—a chance to speak on stage! 🎤

There are only FOUR slots available.

Want in? Just reply to this email, and I’ll send you all the details.

_{WTF ELSE?}

• US FinTech companies completed 5 of the top 10 deals globally in H1

• Consolidation Trend Puts Bank-FinTech Partnerships in New Light

• Why Real-Time Payments Are the Next Big Thing in Fintech

• US regulators extend comment period for Bank-FinTech partnerships

_{I WANT IT, I GOT IT}

• 🌍👗 Today’s Tool: Where are my sustainability and fashion girlies at? I’m thrilled to introduce you to Phia, a fashion-tech platform founded by the amazing Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kiannito, to give you—our incredible FIF community—exclusive first access to their game-changing product. We’d love your feedback as we shape the future of fashion together. Sign up for the beta test here!

• 💸 Today’s Event: Interested in learning how to invest/become an LP?

  Join me and Lisa Carmen Wang on October 8th for an exclusive workshop: How to Invest in the Next Billion-Dollar Female-Led Companies.

• 💰 Today’s Pitch: I’m not just writing stories; I’m writing checks. As a venture partner with Lisa’s BBE fund, I’m now using this platform to funnel deal flow with female founders building the next billion-dollar business. Apply to pitch us at our next Bad Bitch Pitch event by October 1st!

_FINTUNES

🎵 Katy Perry - I'M HIS, HE'S MINE ft. Doechii

The ladies absolutely nailed it. Female artists are collaborating like never before, and this trend will only grow, even in our fintech industry.

_{LET’S CONNECT}

📰 Share this newsletter with a friend and start growing your network.

🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn for daily insights on female leadership.

🤝 Grow your business through content & community by partnering with me.

📣 Promote yourself to 50,000 subscribers by sponsoring this newsletter.

🎤 Host an epic event by booking me as a speaker, moderator, or emcee.

📚 Increase your expertise by pre-ordering your copy of my book, Fintech Feminists: Increasing Inclusion, Redefining Innovation, and Changing the Future for Women Around the World.

That’s all for now! See you Thursday!

Love,

Nicole 💜